Everybodys wants "brothers" now!!
 

Hello Sorors,

I have been on these sites and some of the topics I see are interesting. Why is it that everyone wants what we have with our Sigma brothers? I saw the new Golden Love Affair with the Iotas and the Sigma Gamma Rhos. One member of SGRho even emailed me acusing me of disrespecting her sorority. I have not dissed anyone, but as a SOROR of 10 years, I am tired of the pseudo brother/sister relationships. what do you all think?

I saw the post in question in the Iota forum and I didn't think that the relationship between Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta is in any way official. I think that the organizations have some unofficial and unrecognized bonds across the country, but I don't see it as biting our style, or somehow trying to capitalize on the bond between Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma.

As it was explained to me by a prominent member of Iota Phi Theta(and in the forum), Iota will never have a sister organization, and they're okay with that. The bond that was represented in the post in question was one of mutual respect and admiration.

What's it to us if the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho wish to express their gratitude/affection/respect for the men of Iota? How does this (or any other non-blue and white pairing) take away from what we share with our Sigma brothers?

Everybody wants brothers now and that's okay with me. Sororities and Fraternities working together is very positive. Any unofficial or official sibling relationships established by other organizations has NO bearing on the bond that Zeta and Sigma share.

What!? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif
Let me start by saying, I mean no disrespect to other organization. But here is my point of view.
I understand where True Zeta is coming from.

Zeta and Sigmas work hard at the bond we share. The brother/sister thing is something we don't/or shouldn't take lightly. It's not something we claim or decide, it what we are and what we live and share.

So when other organization "claim" each other as brother and sister, it's somewhat offensive to how hard we work as Zeta Phi Beta Sigma. Maybe other soror's can't relate to this experience, but it's so real to me.

To have mutual respect for each other is one thing. But to actually call each other Frat or Soror?
That is hard for me to understand or respect.
Especially when it is not a part of the constitution. Part of being a "Frat or Soror" is dedication. But when the dedication varies from campus to campus...? Why would you use the terms so loosely?

Where I'm from, Zetas and Sigmas pledge online together. Our goals and objectives , not just our colors, are the same nationally and locally.

I have much respect for other frats. We work with them too and we love them too.
But my brothers are the men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

We call each other frat and soror no matter what campus you go to.

Please don't be offended, just understand where I am coming from.
It's irrelevant to us as Zeta Phi Beta Sigma,
but I can't respect it as a member of the NPHC.

With the sweetest Zeta love,
DivineZeta


[This message has been edited by DivineZeta (edited July 31, 2001).]

Soror, please email me. z-phi!

Well Sorors,

I don't know when or where you pledged...but I do know that their are some 20+ year Zetas on this board.

I, for one, understand that you want to smirk at people saying they are frat and soror when they aren't constitutionally bound...but the reality is, it's a free country. We haven't written the book on it(bonds) and we are not the only ones to have a bond, ours is just the only NPHC one to be constitutional.
Pledging "old school" teaches you quite abit about respect for other greeks and about Greek Unity(which is still alive and well) and while we might have sibling rivalry and might jest at others about their "bonds,"(I joke my Alpha friend all the time when he mentions the word "Soror"...we both just laugh and move on) it is of no consequence to us. The biZneZZ of Zeta and Sigma does go on. We have many things that set us apart, and the bond is just one of many.
A good friend of mine(a Kappa) once said, "if your organiZation is da bomb, you have no need to put others down in other to make yours tighter." So, I'll leave you with that thought...Peace and God Bless.

------------------
The Epitome of Beauty, Style, and Grace, Always Exemplifying Good Taste, A Zeta Woman, A Finer Woman, That's Me!

[This message has been edited by PrettyKitty (edited July 31, 2001).]

Sorors,

I see both sides of the coin. I don't so much get put out when other groups claim to have brother/sister relationships, as much as when other folks try and NEGATE the relationship Sigmas and Zetas have, which is usually done in the same breath ("I have XYZ love with ABC and we don't need a Constitution because our love is deeper than that and the Sigmas and Zetas don't even get along on my campus anyway so what does that Constitution prove..."). I was also brought in working closely with Phi Beta, and it was a good experience (for the most part http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif). I agree that Zeta/Sigma has to go beyond and above the call to ensure that our relationship is effective (any Soror ever been on a local Zeta/Sigma council...ohhhh weee!). However, Sorors short change the amazing history of our Sorority by jumping bad on THAT battle while allowing people to "bite" our principles (Sisterly Love, Finer Womanhood), or our Signature Programs without so much a whimper. To me, that's the greater crime.

We know how hard we work to establish our Bond, and we know we collectively could work much harder on the service level as our Founders envisioned. I also agree that we are all in the running for quality members, but if the only reason a woman wants to join a Sorority is because its relationship with a fraternity, then she is not a quality prospect.

In the end Sorors, our Constitutional Bond with Phi Beta is an important differentiator, but historically it's not the BIGGEST differentiator between Zeta and other organizations. So if other organizations have relationships with others to whom they feel close, so be it. Zeta and Sigma were founded to fulfill similar missions and goals in the community, under the same colors, letters and Constitution. No one will ever be able to understand that, so why hate? Let's clean up our own HOUSE ((clear throat)) Sorors.


------------------
Finer Womanhood: the "Cat's Meow" Since 1920

I have never put anyone down.
But I don't agree with the way they use the term Soror and Frat towards each other.

It totally contridicts what I mean when I used it towards a Sigma or Zeta.

I hope by disagreeing, I'm not seen as being anti - greek unity.
But I just don't agree with using the terms Frat and Soror so loosely.

Divine Zeta


[This message has been edited by DivineZeta (edited July 31, 2001).]

Well I am. I don't like when people call me "Soror" when they don't mean it.
I was never greek, but I am a Zeta.

I loved the Alphas in school. We helped them and they helped us. But when I wouldn't call them "Frat". Nor would I call an SIgma Gamma Rho "Soror" even though I thought they were really cool.
Our bond is not the same.
If I call you soror or frat, I mean it.
When it's used loosely, I'm offended.

DivineZeta



[This message has been edited by DivineZeta (edited July 31, 2001).]

The reality is, sometimes you feel just as much sisterhood or brotherhood to people outside the org...and therefore, out of mutual respect and love you might call them that...but not everyone does it. And I find that as the years go by there is less and less "Greek" Unity felt by anyone in the NPHC towards each other...

I use the term "greek" very loosely...but u know what I meant.

Peace and love...

------------------
The Epitome of Beauty, Style, and Grace, Always Exemplifying Good Taste, A Zeta Woman, A Finer Woman, That's Me!

I was messing with you on the "greek" term http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Although you may have better relationship with others outside of your organization, the word "Soror", in my opinion, is reserved for those within you organization.

And Soror is a word is expected to be true, but is not necessarily the case. In my chapter, we only refered to Zetas as Sorors if you meant it to be true.

With Sisterly Love,
DivineZeta



[This message has been edited by DivineZeta (edited July 31, 2001).]

Say it again Shel! I think u touch on some very important points...so I had to cut and paste to emphasis them.

I have more issue with other Sororities saying they are Finer Women or talking about how they have a Stork's Nest program than someone saying something about a bond.

I love the Sigmas and the bond will alwayZ be there, and my it's a great one...but I am off to fight for the letters I pledged, Z PHI B....

------------------
The Epitome of Beauty, Style, and Grace, Always Exemplifying Good Taste, A Zeta Woman, A Finer Woman, That's Me!

[This message has been edited by PrettyKitty (edited July 31, 2001).]

To each their own Soror...every yard is different...and every locale is different too...I have had Kappas, Ques, Alphas, Deltas, and SGRhos go out of there way to help me...in essence showing me that the true meaning of sisterhood or brotherhood extends beyond the organiZational boundaries and for that I will alwayZ think of them as my Sister Soror or Brother Frater...

There is no mistake though, as to which Sorority I pledged or to which I pledged my heart, my time, and my loyalty to...

SZL,

PK

------------------
The Epitome of Beauty, Style, and Grace, Always Exemplifying Good Taste, A Zeta Woman, A Finer Woman, That's Me!

I have had the same experiences with people in other organizations as well.
I call them my good friends or even best friend. But not Soror. That means Sorority Sister.
Well, we can agree to disagree. No love lost for my Soror http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

DivineZeta


[This message has been edited by DivineZeta (edited July 31, 2001).]